Description
French Black Marans
Breed History and Origin
The French Black Marans originated in France in the town of Marans during the 1800s. This variety is part of the Marans family, a breed internationally recognized for producing dark brown eggs.
The French strain is distinguished by feathering on the legs and adherence to traditional French breeding standards. While similar in color to the French Black Copper Marans, this variety does not display the copper hackle feathers around the neck.
Customers seeking the copper-necked version may review the French Black Copper Marans
Egg Color and Production
French Black Marans are known for laying deep brown eggs, often ranging between #4 and #6 on the Marans egg color scale. Egg color intensity may vary slightly throughout the laying cycle.
Under proper flock management, hens typically produce about 150 to 200 large dark brown eggs per year, depending on nutrition, lighting, and seasonal conditions.
Because egg color is a primary selling feature of the Marans breed, many backyard poultry keepers choose them specifically to add darker eggs to their basket.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
French Black Marans feature solid black plumage with a subtle green sheen in sunlight. Like other French strains, they typically have light feathering along the outer legs and toes.
Mature hens generally weigh about 6½ to 7 pounds, while roosters may reach approximately 8½ to 9 pounds when fully grown.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
French Black Marans are generally active but manageable birds. They adapt well to backyard flocks and free-range systems.
Because of feathered legs, dry coop conditions are recommended to prevent buildup of mud or debris. Broodiness may vary by individual hen.
Availability and Related Breeds
For a non-feathered leg version, consider the Cuckoo Marans
Customers seeking additional dark egg color variety may also review the Welsummer Chicken
French Black Marans FAQs
How dark are French Black Marans eggs?
They produce dark brown eggs, typically ranked between #4 and #6 on the Marans color scale.
What is the difference between French Black and French Black Copper Marans?
French Black Copper Marans display copper coloring around the neck, while French Black Marans are solid black.
Are French Black Marans good backyard chickens?
Yes. They are productive, adaptable, and valued for their dark egg color.
Check out our blog “English Marans or French Marans Chicken?”
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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trotter.bottomsup –
I couldn’t be happier with my French Black Marans. Both hens lay beautiful bloom-covered eggs, with one producing an especially heavy bloom that gives her eggs a lovely pinkish-purple sheen. They average about 5 eggs per week each. Overall, I am extremely pleased with their laying performance, egg quality, and the unique egg colors they bring to my egg basket
naturalharmonycleaning –
We ordered our pullets at the very end of March and received healthy, lively chicks with no losses. Our order contained quite a few different breeds that were raised together in the same brooder, but these girls are definitely the friendliest.
They’re a very heavy, large breed. They’ve just started to lay eggs within the last few weeks, so around 6 months old seems to be the average for our ladies. They lay a beautiful chocolate egg that’s about a 6-7 on the color scale.
Overall, beautiful eggs and beautiful birds with great temperaments!
Russel Graves –
So far this breed is docile and forage around the farm. We have had the French Marans and they lay a nice dark egg. We have had the black ones 7 months so far and they have not begun to lay yet.
cchapman –
I have 4 hens and 1 rooster that are 6 months old. Both male and female are beautiful birds. The hens have just begun to lay, and their eggs are a beautiful addition to our colorful egg basket. We have a 25 chicken flock and we think these eggs are the prettiest.
themarafamily –
Ordered one rooster and three hens March 2025, just started laying beautiful dark brown eggs. The rooster is so sweet and beautiful birds! Very happy with them.
amandakthompson91 –
Love these chickens. Eggs aren’t as dark as I had expected (so 4 out of 5 stars). But good sized birds. Look more greenish blue in the light. Easy going personalities.
Sexing was accurate in my order.
kartoffelmuss –
All of them arrived in perfect health and doing well. Not yet laying. Integrated well with our old “ladies “. Very nice looking and a very docile breed.
kristalee97 –
These are by far, my favorite of our flock! They are such a sweet mannered breed. Adult size is a bit bigger than my barred rocks with feathered feet and the most gorgeous feathers that alternate between black, blue, and green in the sunlight. Eggs are a dark brown. These quiet ladies tend to stick together and avoid the more aggressive breeds in the coop. I thought once they grew bigger than everyone else they would take over the flock but they are still my sweet tempered girls, following me around the garden and hiding behind my boots. They make my chicken-loving heart happy!
wolfpack522 –
Beautiful shinny black chickens. Looking almost an emerald green in the sunshine. So pretty to watch. I got 5 of them from Cackle Hatchery this year (2025) and all came thru shipping wonderfully. Arriving strong, curious , and raring to go. Very quiet & gentle. I am very pleased with them. Being somewhat of a rare breed, I have been amazed at their strength and endurance.
Nia Sopiwnik –
These are the friendliest chickens, they have the best temperament. They are beautiful and lay beautiful eggs. Our orders all arrived fast and healthy. Thank you!
Bradford Gaines –
Overall 2 out of 3 have made it to almost 8 months now. Had one die overnight from a heart attack. Haven’t really had any issues, but now has me worried the breed is just not great quality possibly. Had four welsummers out of the same bunch and they are doing just fine/healthy with no other ailments in the flock.
RhondaJean –
Great Friendly Hens
I just started getting the wonderful dark brown eggs they lay. The darkest in my rainbow eggs I get. These hens are pleasant and really fit, and are almost invisible, with my other 100 hens and roosters.
Almostafarm –
Not what I received
I’d love to right a review on the French black marans I ordered, I raised all the chicks to adult ( minus one dead on arrival) but I do not have any chickens that look like that.
Keith –
Truly Love the black copper marans !
First, I cannot say enough good about Cackle Hatchery ! I have purchased alot of chicks from them over the years and everytime the quality and service was awesome ! My last purchase was over 80+ chicks of various types and after 2 weeks I still had 100% – strong, healthy stock… With my last purchase i got some Black Copper Marans; they are now mature and BEAUTIFUL ! In fact a couple of my friends demanded that I share ! Haha ! So come February, I am getting more !
Braefiddich –
Very Pleased
I am more than happy with the chicks I received from Cackle. They have grown well and have been very healthy. I intend to buy more to add to the flock this next spring.
Peg –
Love the dark eggs
I received my Marian’s in February this year and was happy when they started laying in early summer. The eggs are a rich chocolate color and they are faithful layers. My girls are mostly confined, but live to free range when they get the chance!
Vicki –
Great chickens
I purchased 4 babies back in March. All are doing great. One turned out to be a roo and I kept him. He is very beautiful and all are very large birds. The hens are laying very dark brown eggs. They are all very friendly, even the roo.
M.Kemp –
Great Bird
They are a great addition to any flock and mine have finally gotten old enough to start laying beautiful dark brown eggs.
Nicole –
Nice Big Black Chickens
Purchased three of these as chicks this summer and they are so far the best grown. They are super friendly also. Only giving 4 stars because they have not fully matured yet. So once they mature and I see how dark and beautiful the eggs are they will deserve 5 stars then!!!!
SE_Gardener –
Intend to Cross w/Bresse
I maintain two closed flocks – GFF Black Copper Marans and American Bresse – for both egg production and table. Early spring 2018 I ordered three Blk Marans females with intent to cross on Am Bresse Rooster. The Blk Marans are more flighty than my Blk Copper Marans and Am Bresse. They are however coming along. I’m impressed with their size – at 5 months they are very large and will likely grow to be the largest birds of either flock. Breeding to the Bresse, I’m looking for hybrid vigor to produce a larger bird for table. Their genetics are VERY different from the Blk Copper Marans so I’m diligent to not breed them. I don’t find the Black Marans to be mean or bad temperamented…the two hens stick together – maybe they’re a little frightened of the stark white Bresse LOL. They are quiet birds similar to my Blk Copper Marans.
Victoria –
Big birds, nice eggs
I purchased 3 French Black Marans pullets this year in April, all came in healthy and true to sex. These are now the largest birds in my current flock and they are very pretty to look at with their shiny black feathers and green metallic sheen. They do lay a nice dark egg, I would rate it around a 6, maybe a 7 some days. On the other hand, they also have the worst temperament towards all my other chickens. These are the biggest bullies in my entire flock and my other hens have to run away from them in fear of being flogged for looking at them sideways. They may be a better addition to a flock of other large fowl with emphasis on the “large” (not Andalusians, Isbars, Easter Eggers, etc)
Lyn –
Pleased
Baby’s made it in this morning lost one during shipping but rest are healthy and happy very pleased
Loscho –
Like these.
I raised two black copper marans this year. They are nice quiet birds and lay medium to large dark brown eggs quite reliably, even in cold weather.